Singing group the Golden Oldies and members of the Red Hat Society helped launch a new Older People's Charter in South Gloucestershire.

The charter has been drawn up to highlight what older people can expect from South Gloucestershire Council and other organisations.

It includes supporting their independence, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect, are listened to over issues that affect them, have a choice regarding their care and are protected from harm and neglect.

There are currently nearly 41,000 people over the age of 65 in the district, with another 45,000 aged between 50 and 65.

By 2025 it is estimated the number of over-65s will have risen to more than 58,000.

Matthew Riddle, the council's champion for older people and executive member for community care and housing, said: "We have been asking older people for their views on the quality of care they expect from us, which has helped to develop the charter.

"It is important that we provide elderly residents with a good level of service and the charter will help to achieve this."

South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, South Gloucestershire Senior Citizens' Forum, Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue Service have also signed up to the document.

The Golden Oldies runs singing sessions for older people, while the Red Hat Society is a social organisation for women who have decided to greet middle age with "verve, humour and elan".

It started in California, inspired by Jenny Joseph's poem Warning, which encourages women of a certain age to rebel by wearing purple clothes and red hats.